Cheltenham earned a non-league win over former SOL conference foe Upper Merion on Thursday.
CHELTENHAM 64, UPPER MERION 51
In a rematch of former SOL American Conference foes, the visiting Panthers – who trailed 29-28 at halftime – turned up the defensive pressure in the second half, limiting the Vikings to just 22 points while they scored 36.
“Even though Upper Merion just moved out of our conference, it was almost as if it was an in-conference game,” coach John Timms said. “I have a lot of respect for (coach Jason) Quenzer and that program because they always do great film work, so whenever we go in there, they’re well prepared.
“They know what we like to run, so that’s why it felt like an in-conference game. They were almost calling out our plays as we were running them. It took us buckling down on defense and saying, ‘It’s going to come down to a matter of wills. It’s not so much x’s and o’s because we pretty much know what they like to do, and they know what we like to do, so it’s a matter of who wanted it more. I think we exercised a little more will to win tonight.”
Four players finished the game in double figures for the Panthers. Trevonn Pitts led the way with another double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Ahmad Bickley added 16 points, and Tim Spencer had 15. Jack Clark came close to a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
For the Vikings, Aidan Newell (15 points), Ethan Miller (12) and Joseph Breece (10) led the way.
Cheltenham (12-2, 7-1 SOL) will host Upper Moreland on Friday night.
Cheltenham 10-18-20-16 64
Upper Merion 10-19-12-10 51
Cheltenham (64) – Trevonn Pitts 19, Ahmad Bickley 16, Jack Clark 14, Tim Spencer 15, Rodney Carson 4, Kyin Healy 6.
Upper Merion (51) – Aidan Newell 15, Andrew Persaud 4, Chris Carita 4, Joseph Breece 10, Ethan Miller 12, Timmy Biegalski 6.
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